A friend of mine has a desktop Apple computer (I googled Apple computer images and it looks like an iMac). He has Mac OS X version 10.5.8. When we tried to upgrade it the OS reported that there are no updates available.

We googled around to find alternative ways of upgrading the system - 3-4 different clicking paths all leading to the same system update program - but with same outcome.

Finally we tried to download it but we could not find the 10.6 upgrade anywhere. The system does not allow to upgrade to any version higher than 10.6. I'm not able to check it now, but I remember for sure that the computer was bought around 2009-2010, and it is one of these two (1, 2), which should mean that it can be upgraded even up to Maverick.

You can use System Profiler to find to Model ID of your friend's iMac (see this KB article) -- that'll tell you for sure which generation of iMac you have, and whether it can run Mavericks (iMac7,1 and later).
– Gordon DavissonDec 29 '13 at 19:15

3 Answers
3

Upgrade is a major version change. In your friend's case 10.5 -> 10.6 is a upgrade that costs money. You can buy the DVD from Apple or perhaps used. From there, if the machine meets the requirements for 10.6 the process is to run the installer and replace / upgrade any peripherals and software that no longer work.

From there, all upgrades come electronically from Apple. Again, if the hardware is compatible, you can jump to Mavericks to free (though unlikely for most 10.5 era hardware).

Apple also sells Lion and Mountain Lion from the web store if you need an upgrade that isn't the latest and greatest.

Your first practical step is to go to Apple.com and find in support the article on indentifying your Mac to determine the hardware capabilities before spending any time or money on incompatible upgrades.

…do you mean that the iMac was bought brand new (i.e., the newest model available in stores in the 2009-2010 time frame), or did you potentially buy an older model (i.e., from 2007-2008) in the 2009-2010 time frame?

Because you have OS X 10.5.8 (Leopard) currently, and assuming that you never downgraded your OS X, you can narrow down which iMac model you have. Since 10.6 (Snow Leopard) came out in August 2009, and since Unibody iMac [see 1st link in your question] was released in October 2009, it can be assumed that you don't have a Unibody iMac.

Thus, you must have what Wikipedia calls an Aluminum iMac [see 2nd link in your question]. If you are sure you bought it brand new in stores between 2009-2010, it was probably what Wikipedia calls the Early 2009 model.

Even if all of the previous deductions were incorrect, as long as you are 100% certain that the iMac has an aluminum housing (i.e., the outside is gray, and not white), then even in the worst-case scenario in which your iMac is from Mid 2007, you are guaranteed to be able to install OS X 9 (Mavericks).

So rest assured, you can upgrade all the way up to Mavericks if you so desire. I've outlined the steps below.

1. Upgrading from OS X 10.5.8 to 10.6

You can up-grade from 10.5.8 to 10.6 by purchasing the installation DVD for $19.99 (w/ free shipping), then up-date 10.6 to 10.6.8, for free using the Apple Software Update application already installed on your iMac.

2. Upgrading from OS X 10.6.8 to 10.9

Though it goes against Apple tradition, Apple has (thankfully) released 10.9 for free as long as you have the system requirements to run 10.8; a simple Google search will help you determine that. If you do, then download and install it onto your computer.

Thank you for your interest in this question.
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